A Grade go down in a nailbiter

Opening pair Angus Heslin and Matt McCabe looked to make early inroads, and McCabe was rewarded with his first with the score on 31.

Debutant Aneeque Azam was brought into the attack alongside fellow spinner Brock McCabe.

The pair bowled well in tandem, with Aneeque breaking the 60 run third wicket partnership, having their number three caught at point for his maiden A grade wicket.

Azam had his second after the main break, then a consistent run of wickets from Matt McCabe and Heslin had the game back in the Lakers’ favour.

Some big hitting from the Magpies’ lower order proved the difference in the game and they passed the Laker’s total with 5 overs to spare.

The Lakers are back at Vic Park this weekend, where they take on Beechworth in a two-day game.

A tribute to Don (Dux) Cooper will appear in next week’s Chronicle.

A Res back on the winners list

City Colts 10/162 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala 7/212.

Yarrawonga Mulwala travelled to Wangaratta to face an in-form City Colts side. City Colts won the toss and sent the Lakers into bat.

Cope and Hill opened up and were regularly finding the gaps putting the opposition fielders under pressure.

Both openers kept the scoreboard ticking over until Hill hurt his groin and needed a runner. Shortly after Cope picked out a fieldsman and departed for a well-made 37.

The evergreen Alk Buerckner joined Hill and the two kept the foot down until Hill was caught for a classy 47.

The all-round talent of Nehal Tahir made his intentions clear by regularly finding the boundary and increasing the run rate.

After Buerckner was ran out for 18 cameos from Taylor (10), Docking (14), Dishot (21) and Lovel (8) brought the final score to 7-212.

After a lovely afternoon spread Mitchell and Connell opened but were unsuccessful in taking early wickets.

Docking and Tahir bowled well to restrict the opposition before Docking broke through to take the Lakers first.

Dishot and Docking continued to hit good areas before a sharp run out from Cope got the Lakers second.

From then on, the wickets began to fall as Dishot and Tahir ripped through the middle order to put the Lakers on top.

Mitchell and Cope were brought into the attack to finish things off and it wasn’t long before City Colts were bowled out for 162.

Tahir 3 wickets, Dishot 2, Mitchell 1, Cope 1, Docking 1 and 2 runouts saw the Lakers victors.

The Lakers are off the Mansfield to face Delatite next week.

B Grade continue their winning ways

Beechworth Wanderers 10/93 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala 3/216.

This week the boys took on Beechworth in the first of a string of away games to come.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Hudson Gillies and Charlie Jaimeson once again opened up putting on 79 for the first wicket, batting very patiently against a strong Beechworth attack.

Shortly after drinks, Charlie was out for a well-made “28” so Geoff Montgomery joined Hudson at the crease and the two began to punish the Beechworth attack before Hudson was caught for “56” and Geoff shortly after for a run a ball “25”.

Lach Phillips and Jack Connell were the next two in and Lach wasted no time getting into his groove smashing an unbeaten “73” off just 48 balls, as Jack played the supporting roll from the other end. The boys ended with a total of 2-216.

After another cracker B grade arvo tea, the boys were ready to go as Gary Browning and Hunter Fraunfelder opened up bowling a great line and length which had Beechworth in trouble early with Gary taking 3/10 and Hunter taking 2/15.

The ball was then thrown to Josh McCabe and Will Murphy who continued the tight bowling as Josh took 2/9 to have Beechworth in trouble at 8-25.

Next to bowl was Jack Browning who did not look out of place bowling 2 very tight overs without luck.

The Beechworth tail hung around and got to 93 before being bowled out.

Another convincing win for B grade who have the week off next week before taking on Benalla.

C Grade

Opposition forfeit.

U14 Rams win in thrilling 2 dayer

Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 10/114 def Ovens Valley United 8/110.

In the first two-day clash of the season the Rams demonstrated tremendous strength, patience and discipline to claw their way to a win.

On day one, the boys worked hard and managed to bat for 31 of their allotted 40 overs.

A number of partnerships were built and the runs shared around fairly evenly with one stand out. Taj Parker led the way with a terrific, patient yet damaging display.

His 37 helped the team compile a very competitive 114 against a strong bowling attack.

Day two was hot and the boys knew that to win, they’d need to produce their best bowling performance of the year to date. And that they did!

Consistent lines and lengths made it difficult for the opposition to score.

Wickets were a little hard to come by until Lachlan (the destroyer) Cruikshank produced some unplayable deliveries claiming four wickets from his four overs for four runs. A terrific win by the lads against a quality opponent.

Batting: Taj Parker - 37 Finn Mitchell - 15 Wally Hammond – 13.

Bowling: Lach Cruikshank - 4 for 4 off 4 Benji Wollington - 1 for 3 off 3 Jordan Knight - 1 for 10 off 5.

Lakers girls battle Benalla

Yarrawonga Mulwala Girls 132 def Benalla Bushrangers 99.

After a very hot Saturday, the Lakers Girls arrived at Victoria Park on Sunday to the complete opposite, an overcast sky and a few spots of precipitation. The cool change was appreciated. Welcoming the Bushrangers, the Lakers’ captain Bailey Richardson won the bat toss and elected to make first use of the wicket and set a target.

Paige Bamford (7) and the returning Kate Giblett (10) got the innings off to a flyer, with solid hitting and lightning running between the wickets.

The runs flowed freely, gave confidence to the rest of the team.

Bella Ward (7) went about her task with efficiency, again looking to take total of any loose deliveries, and the home side settled into compiling a big total.

Lexi Richardson (3) and Rosie Lidgerwood (11) rolled up their sleeves and stole quick singles, not allowing the fielders a moment’s rest.

A nice partnership ensued, again and this team is starting to play great team cricket.

Lily Lewis (5), Elsie Lidgerwood (3) and Bailey Richardson (4) all joined in and had the scoreboard ticking over at a furious rate.

A big improvement in the running over the last few weeks and credit to Matt Lidgerwood and Brendan Hill for their development work at training over the last two weeks.

Time to bring the innings home and the task was handed to Matilda Thackray who did not disappoint.

“Tilly” {7} calmly played her shots and took on the field to score the runs that got the home team to the three-figure total of an even 100. Best batting score of the season for us so far.

When the Lakers’ girls took the field, Matilda Thackray took the big mitts behind the stumps and proved impassable and provided the “Gold Standard” for her teammates to follow.

Stella Hill opened the bowling with the breeze at her left shoulder, sending down three tight overs that only gave up six runs for no wickets.

Kate Giblett’s return saw her straight back into the action with a wicket with her first delivery resulting in a great team celebration.

Kate ending up with three wickets for nine runs conceded from her three overs. Her spell was the pick of a very good bunch.

Lexi Richardson chipped in with a wicket to add to the early Lakers’ success with the ball, and she was ably partnered by Bella Ward who again has proven to be extremely economical, no wicket for only four runs.

This quinella gave the locals the upper hand.

Lily Lewis just kept on delivering consistent and reliable bowling that slowed the scoring of the opposition, asked questions of the batters, and resulted in her claiming a wicket when required. Eight runs from her two overs with the wicket of caught and bowled being the cherry on top.

Paige Bamford turned the screws on the opposition, taking two wickets in her second over, making life tough for the visitors, snaring 2 for 7 from her stint.

Bailey Richardson and Elsie Lidgerwood surrendered 5 runs and 8 runs respectively from their allotment of two overs each.

This bowling pair causing the run rate to keep climbing, swinging the game further towards the “Combine”. When Rosie Lidgerwood was introduced into the fray, she delivered the knockout blow with some fast, accurate, and decisive bowling.

Rosie’s bowling is developing nicely, and she continues emerging as key weapon for the bowling attack.

Like a hot knife through butter, her deliveries sliced pass the opposition’s bats.

The Lakers’ Girls closed the game out in fine style and can be happy with their first game back at home on Vic Park bringing a victory to the local team. A real T.E.A.M. effort.

Under 14 bulls fall short

Beechworth 10/227 def Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 10/112

A tough day at the office for the young Bulls. With Beechworth coming into the day at 1/40, the Bulls boys needed to get early wickets and keep the runs down, with the bowlers bowling they couldn’t quite defend their total from the week before.

The fielding was at a high level with catches, stumping and run outs taken. Tyce Woodhead kept the energy level high during the morning taking 3 catches and having a run out.

Blake Braun took his chance with the ball, bowled five economical overs and claimed two wickets. Another player to bowl well for the day was Blair Livingstone - Laing who claimed two wickets with his variety of off spin, leg spin and medium pacers.

The leg-spin duo in Jacko Smith 2/9 and Darcy Hargreaves 2/21 often troubled the higher order bats.

To the boys credit they didn’t let the enthusiasm down in the field and eventually bowled Beechworth out claiming all their ten wickets.

With Levi Purtle and Jack Browning also claiming a wicket each.

Next week the Bulls return home after a lengthy stint playing away games where the scribe is sure they are looking forward to improving on recent performances.

Under 12 Lakers claim big victory

Yarrawonga Mulwala Lakers 3/163 def Delatite Gold 8/59.

The young Lakers travelled back to Arundle St in Benalla to take on the developing Delatite side on Saturday, looking to bounce back from last week’s tough day at the same venue.

A hot day was predicted, so as soon as Isaac won the phone flip with what he called was a predictable screens up call, he had no hesitation in sending Delatite in to have a bat.

Ollie opened up with the new ball and bowled a tight line and length and produced a wicket ball in the first over.

This bought in Delatite’s best batting pair, however Billy’s direct hit from behind the keeper sent the number 3 packing for 1.

After a solid partnership and a couple of retirements, the Lakers then got on a roll with Isaac, Blake, Finn, and Rosie all claiming wickets, as well as another run out to Billy.

Darcy and Rory both bowled their best spells for the year.

Ollie bowled the last over and claimed his second scalp of the day to wrap up the innings on 59. Having only made about the same amount last week, the young Lakers were keen to get stuck in and get the job done early in ticking the score off.

Skipper Isaac went out and played aggressively making 30 off his 15 balls before retiring.

Rory, Darcy, Ollie and Finn all retired batting patiently and supporting their partners.

Will and Billy both had rare failures, however the game was already done and dusted as the other skipper Eamon had come in and navigated the Lakers across the line with a well compiled 22 retired. This brought Isaac back to the crease as he looked to cash in on some good form.

He blasted the young Delatite bowlers to all parts, hitting 14 fours and 2 massive sixes on his way to an unbeaten 74. His Dad would be so proud of him.

Rosie was the other unbeaten bat on 9, hitting 2 boundaries of her own.

All in all, it was a great performance from the kids and the club look forward to doing it all again next week at the same venue.

U12 Rams prevail in the heat

Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 5/108 def Benalla Bushrangers Blue 5/95

The match up with two inform teams lived up to expectation, with the Rams prevailing in a hotly contested battle.

On a blistering spring morning, where the temperature had risen early, the visiting Benalla Bushrangers Blue won the toss and elected to bat.

The Bushrangers batsmen looked to take on the Rams bowlers, before George Kennedy had the zing bails flashing with the first wicket of the innings.

Hugo Bott followed up with a fine piece of bowling to remove one of the Bushrangers in form batsman.

With the scoreboard ticking over, the Rams captain Layken Saunders asked the fielders to be on their toes and Lachie Brown executed a fine run out to the delight of the home team.

George Hill claimed a wicket along with Lincoln Ridley who took a sharp caught and bowled.

The Bushrangers finished their innings with a score of 5 for 95.

A contribution from all batsmen was going to be required if the Rams were to come out on top in the match.

The Doyle brothers, Murphy and Paddy opened proceedings and after playing themselves in, they got the scoreboard ticking over.

Murphy found the boundary on four occasions to retire with 20. He was well supported by Lachie Brown 14 not out, Finn O’Brien (19 retired), Hugo Bott (11 retired), Ned O’Brien (15 retired).

With only a handful of runs required for victory, Paddy Doyle returned to the crease and waited patiently for a delivery in his scoring zone to bring up the winning runs for the Rams.

Brown returned to finish off what was a fine batting performance by all team members. The Rams finished their innings with a total of 5 for 108.

They will be looking to consolidate their good form when they come up against the third of the Benalla teams, when they host Bushrangers Green next Saturday.

Under 12 Bulls

Benalla Bushrangers Green 6/86 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 6/97.

Report not submitted before Chronicle went to print.